[BCMA] For Immediate Release - Port Moody and 1886 train arrival event

[Moderated BCMA subscriber listserv.]

Best wishes on the event.

 

I do find it hard to believe that the train was on time. Yesterday my
Archivist, Barry Dykes, showed me a telegram from Sir John A. MacDonald
in 1886 saying he could not be sure what time he would arrive. He came
West on a later train in 1886 and visited New Westminster (and other
places as well I expect). 

 

For those who do not know, the last surviving passengers on the first
train which went onto Port Moody's later terminal (aka Vancouver ;-)
were the children of Jesse and Martha Love as the whole family was on
the train. As a result, these "children" as old-timers were often
interviewed by the press. We moved the c.1893 Jesse Love Farm house from
Cumberland Street in Burnaby to the Burnaby Village Museum while I was
Curator there. Also, Engine 374 which pulled that train is preserved in
Vancouver at the Eastern end of Davie Street, adjacent to the old
roundhouse - having been rescued for a slow death at Kitsilano Beach.  

 

Colin MacGregor Stevens,

Manager,

New Westminster Museum and Archives,

302 Royal Avenue,

New Westminster, BC,

V3L 1H7, Canada

 

Phone Office:    604-527-4639

Work Cellular :  604-830-6965

Fax:                    604-527-4641

E-mail: cstevens at newwestcity.ca 

Web Site: www.newwestminster.ca 

Normal work week: Sun-Thurs 9-5, OFF Fri-Sat.

 

The New Westminster Museum and Archives (NWMA) consists of:

   * City's Museum (est. 1950)

   * City's Archives

   * Irving House (built 1865)

   * Maintenance of the Samson V Maritime Museum (paddlewheel ship built
1937; museum since 1984) 

 

From: Moderated BCMA subscriber listserv. [mailto:bcma at lists.vvv.com] 
Sent: Friday, June 03, 2011 6:03 PM
To: undisclosed-recipients
Subject: [BCMA] For Immediate Release

 

 

Summary of Press Release

Who: Port Moody Station Museum (604) 939-1648 <tel:%28604%29%20939-1648>


What: Museum celebrates the 125th anniversary of CPR train  

When: Beginning July 1, 2011 

Where: 2734 Murray Street, Port Moody 

 

Contact: Rebecca Clarke

Museum Coordinator

Port Moody Station Museum

Tel: (604) 939-1648

www.portmoodymuseum.org

Email: rebecca <mailto:rebecca> @portmoodymuseum.com

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Port Moody Station Museum Celebrates the 125th Anniversary of the 1st
Trans-Canada Passenger Train

Port Moody, BC, June 3, 2011 - This year marks a significant day in Port
Moody and BC history. On July 4th, 1886, with much celebration, the
first train carrying passengers from Montreal pulled into Port Moody
station.  

Jim Millar, Manager of the Port Moody Station Museum recounts some of
the history of the event, "It was amazing that the train arrived only 1
minute late after a 139 hour journey. It was the longest scheduled
passenger train ride in the world at that time.  People from around the
province came to witness the historic event which marked the fulfillment
of Prime Minister Macdonald's promise to unite BC with eastern Canada." 

To celebrate this occasion there are a variety of things planned at the
Port Moody Station Museum.  The Greater Vancouver Garden Railway Club
will display their G Scale model trains and Artist J Peachy will be
doing live painting on July 1st. On July 2nd and 3rd, the Vancouver Lego
Club will set up a Lego train display. Costumed heritage actors will be
roving the site all three days to delight visitors with stories from
1886. Other activities include the popular Golden Spike Scavenger Hunt,
a dress up photo station and railway crafts.  

The event is also a celebration of the funding received from Heritage
Canada to build a cover for the 1921 rail car displayed in the Museum's
parking lot.  According to Millar, "We've been thinking about erecting
this cover for a number of years and we finally have the opportunity to
do so. This will allow the rail car to remain a part of the community
for years to come." 

For the real train lovers, the Museum is putting together a CPR display
beginning July 1st until the end of October. Museum Coordinator, Rebecca
Clarke is excited to see the best of the Museum's CPR collection on
display. According to Clarke, "We're thrilled to bring out our
velocipede as well as some of the great passenger services items like
china and uniforms. In particular we have a large collection of rail
communication items including telegraphs, bells and whistles."  If you
love CPR history, this is the display for you. Visit the Museum website
portmoodymuseum.org for more details.


-- 
Rebecca Clarke, Museum Coordinator

 

Port Moody Station Museum

2734 Murray St.

Port Moody, BC V3H 1X2

604-939-1648

www.portmoodymuseum.org

 

 

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